GRCF2021 PLACE: Paths to Learning: Active Community Engagement (360G-cabinetoffice-G2-GA-202211828499-21-22)

The PLACE project will primarily focus on connecting people with nature through projects that focus on deep connection to 'place', nature restoration and nature based solutions. PLACE will empower young people as agents of change within their communities- inspiring them to take action through nature based community projects to enhance beauty, heritage and engagement with the natural environment. It will equip a minimum of 12 groups of children and young people (240-300yp) with the skills, competences and values required to develop a deep connection to place: people, nature, cultural and landscape heritage.The PLACE project will weave together strands:Active citizenship and service learning/ community-social actionQuesting active ways to explore and learn from your place and involve others.Creating Natural & Therapeutic Gardens/spacesPhilosophy 4 Children/ Philosophy 4 Communities to enhance dialogue and understandingThis connection to place and heritage, and the range of skills built, will address climate change, strengthen their mental health and wellbeing and secure the future of the heritage they have curated and enhanced.It will result in 1.8 new and the retention of 0.5FTE jobs. A minimum of 12 groups and communities have been identified across Cumbria to take part.